title: Organization of four mouse lambda light chain immunoglobulin genes.
abstract: We have cloned four lambda light chain constant region (C) genes from mouse embryo DNA. Each carries its own joining (J) segment approximately 1.3 kilobases to its 5' side. The four C genes occur in two clusters, 5' J3C3J1C13' and 5' J2C2J4C43', with C4 being a new C lambda gene. We have also shown that V lambda 1 is joined productively with C lambda 3 in a lambda 3-producing myeloma, and it is most likely that V lambda 1 and V lambda 2 are the only V lambda genes. Based on the analysis of the germ line and rearranged variable region (V) lambda genes in myelomas we argue that the V lambda 1 and V lambda 2 genes are at the 5' side of the C3C1 and C2C4 clusters, respectively. We propose that the two clusters arose by duplication. We also speculate on the role of J-associated DNA sequences in regulation of expression of the lambda subtypes.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001666:Binding Sites, Antibody / Q000235:genetics*; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004274:DNA, Recombinant; D005796:Genes; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D007127:Immunoglobulin Constant Regions / Q000235:genetics*; D007147:Immunoglobulin Light Chains / Q000235:genetics*; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region / Q000235:genetics*; D007146:Immunoglobulin lambda-Chains / Q000235:genetics*; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000235:genetics*; D051379:Mice; D009194:Myeloma Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D010957:Plasmids
chemical_list: D004274:DNA, Recombinant; D007127:Immunoglobulin Constant Regions; D007147:Immunoglobulin Light Chains; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region; D007146:Immunoglobulin lambda-Chains; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D009194:Myeloma Proteins